Who communicates science


• Scientists

• Science publishers

• Science funders

• Science fund raisers

• Science policy-makers

• Presidents

• Politicians

• Lobbyists

• Entrepreneurs

• Venture Capitalists

• Investors

• Advertisers

• Teachers

• Consumers

• Doctors

• Patients

• Medical insurers

• Journalists

• PR consultants

• Broadcasters

• Film makers

• Playwrights

• Museum curators

• Bloggers

Professional Science Communication



Brainstorm: Why do scientists communicate with each other?

Why do scientists communicate with each other?



Because science is social


Because scientists depend on each other for ideas and information


Because the first requirement of a successful scientist is that s/he succeeds in persuading other scientists that s/he is a successful knowledge producer


Because scientists are professional critics of their colleagues’ work


Because the peer reviewed research paper is the official record of scientific achievement

Popular Science Communication

Why do scientists engage in popularization?






To share their enthusiasm with others

To “pay back” to society

To educate the next generation of scientists

To earn money or fame

To win research grants

To satisfy the requirements of grant-givers

Why do scientists engage in popularization?




To advance particular ideas or theories

To pursue arguments with opponents

To define particular scientific fields or disciplines

To persuade policy-makers and funders to support particular areas of research

To pursue arguments with opponents

To define particular scientific fields or disciplines


To persuade policy-makers and funders to support particular areas of research

Why scientists should communicate science…



  • Communicating science effectively needs more than facts


  • Fake news seems to be a new phenomenon, but fake science news is not new
    • especially relevant in medical biology


  • Alternative facts have plagued science for decades



“My friends told me I shouldn’t take these toxic drugs — I should use natural medicine instead.”

“We were going to save up to buy a water alkaliniser. Could we alkalinise the water she’s given in hospital?”

“What if I just take turmeric instead? My son said it’s as good as the drugs.”

Why this should matter to you, as a next gen scientist…










Patients with cancer who rejected conventional anticancer treatments (surgery, hormone therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) in favor of alternative medicine were two-and-a-half times less likely to be alive after five years.

Lets discuss…



  • The appeal of alternative medicine is well recognized
    • are they empty promises behind friendly faces?


  • Some complementary treatments (meditation/acupunture) do produce clinical benefits
    • should anyone ever reject proven treatments?


  • Who is at fault?
    • Should we be scrutinizing alternative facts or has science been poorly communicated?


  • Who do you think is most vulnerable to alternative science facts?
    • Why?

The role of education and media in alternative science facts



  • In the same cancer study, those with higher levels of education were more likely to reject conventional treatment!!!!
    • suggests that those who should be able to weigh evidence, dont do it


  • Younger people are more likely to choose alternative treatments
    • 90% of 18-24 yr old engage with social media for health info
    • social media often the primary information source


  • The role of social media in promoting or enforcing behaviors can lead to alternative facts based beliefs which are hard to shift
    • homophily

Implications for the health industry




  • Business strategies that include social media can help health industry companies to take a more active, engaged role in managing individuals’ health.


  • Organizations should coordinate integrate information from the social media space and connect with their customers in more meaningful ways that provide value and increase trust.
    • better positioned to meet needs of consumers

Why is science communication so relevant…


  • Professional science communicators are important in keeping science in the public eye


  • Scientists have the responsibility and the privilege to be science communicators in our daily lives, to our friends, family and neighbors


  • In the modern age of communication, scientist must understand where people are coming from
    • enthusiastic about wonder cures
    • scared for their children
    • anxious about the future


  • We share the same feelings, but as scientists we have a different relationship with evidence


  • Why is there such a disconnect?

Fact-based approach to Sci Comm can be off-putting




Scientists need to be great at communicating on 2 different levels

1. Communicating our research effectively to other scientists

2. Effective in making our science accessible to all


  • Every scientists should be able to communicate the ‘hook’ of their research
    • why it matters to anyone off the street
    • we will practice this with the 3MT
    • makes you a better scientist!

The path for effective popular science communication is muddy

Major arguments for promoting popular Sci Comm

Major arguments for promoting popular Sci Comm

Diet books as Science Communication







Lulu Hunt Peters, Diet and Health with the key to the calories, 1918


The first successful modern diet book, selling some 2 million copies, Diet and Health introduced many people to the concept of ‘calories’

Major arguments for promoting popular Sci Comm

Major arguments for promoting popular Sci Comm

Why am I telling you this?



  • Popular science communication can be a career

  • Science writing

    • newspapers, magazines, books, journal blogs
  • Science broadcasting

  • Science museums and events

    • science cafes, science festivals, etc.
  • Science on the web

    • multi-media for various companies

For next time



  • Select any science, engineering or technology topic that interests you


  • Explore this topic in the ‘professional’ or ‘popular’ sense (or both)


  • Prepare a 2-minute oral presentation, for a smart but uninformed, non-specialist audience
    • no notes allowed


  • Try not to stress, this is just practice